An Unexpected Cause of a Subcutaneous Nodule: A Case Report ofDirofilariaInfection

Abstract

Humans are not natural hosts of Dirofilaria; however, pulmonary or subcutaneous infections may occur through mosquitoes transmission. Patients presenting with simple subcutaneous nodules may not seek early medical attention, and hence systemic involvement through hematogenous spread may occur. Definitive diagnosis of Dirofilaria infection is made by histopathological examinations of the infected tissues. We report a patient with an incidental diagnosis of Dirofilaria infection confirmed by histopathological findings of a subcutaneous nodule on the right thigh. The source of infection remains unknown.

The prevalence of canine dirofilariasis in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…To et al [ 57 ] reported the detection of a novel species, “ Candidatus Dirofilaria hongkongensis,” which was responsible for three cases of human dirofilariasis in Hong Kong. Cheung et al [ 5 ] reported that a patient was diagnosed with Dirofilaria infection from a subcutaneous nodule on the right thigh. In 2013, Li [ 29 ] reported one case of human pulmonary dirofilariasis concurrent with intercostal neurilemmoma in Taiwan.…”